Free Agent with Meg Schmitz

Welcome back to the Free Agent with Meg Schmitz Podcast. In this episode, Meg talks to Tom Fielder who is a multi-studio franchiser of Club Pilates, based in Nashville, TN. Tom shares his insights in hopes that listeners would feel more confident in making the choice to launch their own business. Credits: Hosted by Meg Schmitz Produced by Kacia Huynh and Porsha Williams Gates of Porshanality Media, LLC Editing by Kacia Huynh of Porshanality Media, LLC

Have you ever had a time when you thought that franchising was just for businesses like McDonald's or Burger King? If so, you're not alone. Eric Schechterman thought the same thing until he took the leap into franchising discovery. On this episode of Free Agent Podcast with Meg Schmitz, Meg has an energizing and engaging conversation with Eric Schechterman of Benetrends Financial, Inc. Benetrends Financial is a retirement plan service provider and is the leader for franchise funding. As the Chief Development Officer for the nation's leader in franchise funding, Eric oversees sales, marketing and strategic relationships. Eric has extensive knowledge on the ins-and-outs of franchising from the back end forward and has helped thousands of small businesses open their doors. He has been a featured speaker at numerous franchise conferences, inspiring entrepreneurs with successful small business funding strategies and training franchise executives on how to maximize their funding relationships. Eric was honored to earn a distinction of Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) by the Board of Governors of the IFA in 2016. On the podcast, Eric shares information about rollover funding for your finical retirement plan regardless of your employer. Eric also shares his knowledge about stock investments are a savvy way to buy stock in companies and what it can do for you and your business when your business is profitable There are so many options! Take a listen to the episode and please remember to rate and leave a review for Apple Podcasts. Credits: Hosted by Meg Schmitz Produced by Kacia Huynh and Porsha Williams Gates of Porshanality Media, LLC Editing by Kacia Huynh of Porshanality Media, LLC

Welcome back, Friends and Listeners! I am very excited to launch the new season of my Free Agent Podcast with Meg Schmitz. To kick off our new season, Lance Freeman of Xponential Fitness is joining me for what promises to be a fully engaging conversation to help you take great strides towards your future success. What makes one fitness brand stand out over another? What does an exceptional leadership team contribute to a franchise owner's success? Why did these brands grow across every modality in a year that the pandemic ravaged most competitors? Lance has been in the Franchising industry for nearly as long as I have. Lance has 25+ years as a Multi-unit Franchisee, Area Developer, Master Franchisor, and National Franchise Developer with numerous top-100 Franchisors. Lance is the President of Franchise Development for Xponential Fitness, now known as the largest boutique fitness company in the world. Lance is a Franchise Executive with a proven track record and has awarded over 3,000 Franchises in the last 5 years. Enjoy this interview to the very end, as we share insights and tidbits that are sure to enlighten you. As always, please follow, like, and rate each episode you listen to. I always want your feedback! Credits: Hosted by Meg Schmitz Produced by Kacia Huynh and Porsha Williams Gates of Porshanality Media, LLC Editing by Kacia Huynh of Porshanality Media, LLC

What if a forced pivot is the best thing that could ever happen to you? That was the experience my guest, Mark Zucker, had. When the digital revolution threatened to eliminate his photography business after 15 years, something unexpected happened. Here's what you'll learn from this week's conversation: The important decision that lengthened the runway of his wedding album business and has kept it profitable for the last 10 years. The power of applying a startup mentality to every business How working-from-home provides the perfect opportunity to explore entrepreneurship risk-free The financial, professional and mental health benefits of dabbling in a side hustle and potential opportunities you can go after. How he created off-the-chart growth in his outsourcing business by helping other entrepreneurs pivot and keep their business viable in the pandemic. Guest Bio Mark is the co-founder of MCVO Talent Outsource, and founder and CEO of Zookbinders. He is an involved leader who thrives on helping professional photographers run a more profitable business. Known for providing the wedding industry's finest quality photo albums, Zookbinders continues to innovate to keep pace with the changing needs of photographers. In 2017, Zucker co-founded an outsourcing company that helps US companies reduce costs by providing office talent from the Philippines. MCVO Talent Outsource has a unique business model that can help companies save 20K-30K per employee! Zucker is a mentor to young entrepreneurs and a frequent speaker on topics such as: innovation, finding your niche and helping small businesses improve profits. For more information on Mark's outsourcing service visit https://www.mcvotalent.com/ and to learn more about the wedding album business visit https://www.zookbinders.com/.

Have you ever had a business idea you didn't act on? We all have! But this week's guest took action, and I'm excited to share her story with you. Over the course of 23 years, Colette Bell and her husband took a handyman business that started in their basement and built it into an attractive franchise system other entrepreneurs wanted to invest in. When their success caught the attention of Ace Hardware Corporation, an unstoppable partnership and a bigger opportunity was born. In this week's episode, Colette shares the whole story, from the early wins, to the discoveries and pivots that took them from basement to boardroom. You'll learn; How your choice of franchisee impacts the results of the entire organization and how you can set everyone up for success. How to keep your carefully-cultivated culture and intellectual capital intact as you expand What makes a larger company the perfect vehicle for impact, opportunity and market domination. The key shift that helped the business survive both the recession and the pandemic I love the passion Colette has for her role as a franchisor, and her perspectives on this will be valuable to anyone interested in the franchise world. You'll enjoy this rare and delightful insight into the life of a franchisor, and get inspired to start seeing more entrepreneurship opportunities around you! Guest Bio Colette Bell is the VP of Franchise Development at Ace Handyman Services, and her husband Andy is the CEO. The first Ace Handyman Services office was in the basement of Andy and Colette's Denver home, where they conducted business from a sheet of plywood placed atop an unused pool table. In the two decades since they started, The Ace Handyman Services Franchise Organization has expanded from coast to coast in 200 territories while continuing to embrace the same values and concepts. For more information, visit https://www.acehandymanservices.com/.

If you've thought about moving from corporate into business ownership, this week's podcast episode is for you. After 15 years as a leader at Johnson & Johnson and DJO Global, Ken Theiler decided to scratch his entrepreneurial itch, making an unexpected but strategic choice. And I'd say it paid off in a huge way! Because of Ken's laser focus on customer satisfaction, his loyal customer base followed him even after he separated from the franchisor; an incredible feat for someone with no background in that industry. Choosing the right business vehicle for you is such an important decision. For me, franchising is the perfect foundation to explore entrepreneurship with confidence, because you're not alone. In today's episode, Ken shares what made him gravitate to an entirely new industry, and the immutable laws of ownership that can allow you to thrive in any business. Ken also shared insightful golden nuggets on; Why franchising allows you to explore new pathways in your ambition and fully tap into the strengths that were suppressed in corporate. How his company is retaining a customer base that feeds the engine and building support mechanisms after stepping away from the franchisor. How to evaluate a business opportunity and run a company that preserves the integrity of your family. Whether you're a corporate refugee preparing for your next move, or a business owner who wants to improve your results, I think you'll really enjoy the wisdom Ken shares in this episode! Guest Bio Ken is the owner of Hometown Heating and Air. He is a highly accomplished global commercial leader with a stellar track record in marketing, strategic planning, and finance. With over 15 years of marketing experience, the majority with Johnson & Johnson, Ken has developed a deep understanding of market needs and customer behavior with outstanding success in launching successful products. Hometown Heating & Air provides a comprehensive list of services for customers to meet their HVAC needs. They have a solid understanding of what it takes to install, maintain, service, and repair HVAC systems, and they are committed to providing high-quality in-home comfort for their customers. For more information, visit https://yourhometownheating.com/ or contact Ken directly [email protected].

How do you leave the NFL after a career-ending injury and successfully pivot into a valuable, in-demand role in a completely different industry? That's what I wanted to find out from my guest, former Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings tight end, Brent Novoselsky. Many pro athletes have the rug pulled out from under them when their careers end. By having a plan, Brent put himself on a completely different trajectory. His NFL achievements include 100 games, 100 special teams' tackles, and an induction into the Chicago Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. Today, he serves as Treasurer for the Retired NFL Players Association Chicago Chapter, and Vice President of Wealth Management at GCG Financial. Brent opened up about his journey, going in-depth about; How to pivot the structure and work ethic of sports into a different career. Why the NFL is a simulated war environment where all careers end unwittingly, and how to set yourself up for success beyond it. The reason athletes struggle after sport, and why franchising is the perfect career opportunity for people trained on structure and routine How to unlock the human capital that will elevate you by connecting with intent. Pro athletes are uniquely equipped for business ownership if they use what they learned from sports as a springboard. What's the lesson for non-athletes? You can take success in one area of your life into something completely new and rewarding. If you're looking for insights from the sports field (including what it was like training with the Chicago Bulls), and lessons on hard work and strategic foresight, you won't want to miss this episode! Guest Bio Brent is a Vice President of GCG Financial, having been a member of the firm since 1995. He has been serving clients, their families and their businesses since 1989 with a particular expertise and focus on the accumulation and preservation of assets along with risk management. Brent meets his clients' financial needs through the use of the extensive resources and experts at GCG, as well as through outside, trusted advisor offices. Brent received his Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. He graduated with honors with a concentration in entrepreneurial management. He received his Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) designation in 1999. Brent played 7 seasons in the NFL. He was with the Chicago Bears in 1988 and the Minnesota Vikings from 1989-1994. In a career that included over 100 special teams' tackles, Brent retired after a serious neck injury. He is a member of the Chicago Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. He is also the Treasurer of B'nai B'rith Sports Lodge and the Chair for their scholarship program. To connect with Brent, find him on LinkedIn and send an email to [email protected].

How does a corporate refugee start a new business with confidence while tapping into their creative energy? That's what I wanted to find out from my guest, Basil Bearer. Basil is an accomplished creative leader and talented designer with a track record of graphic and design work for mega-brands like Target. Today, Basil runs a thriving family-run business. And it all started with franchising. He's living proof that a business that taps into your unique gifts and strengths, and impacts the community is one of the greatest gifts of breaking free from corporate. Basil opened up about some of the big lessons and pivotal moments in his journey, sharing; How to navigate the self-inflicted lows of starting and running a business with family The key mindset shift that helped Basil fight the urge to work IN the business The strategy that kept his company on its feet in 2020 so that a "low" meant breaking even, not going out of business. In this insightful episode, you'll learn how Basil was able to marry his left and right brain and build an in-demand creative business. For anyone with creative talent and the drive to be a free agent, this is the episode for you! Guest Bio Basil is the owner at Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More of Mequon. He's an accomplished creative leader and talented designer, passionate about inspiring actions with bold innovative concepts. Now, the owner of Big Frog Custom T-Shirts and More, a custom print apparel boutique. This unique retail concept offers a full service of garment print solutions for business apparel, events, nonprofits and even "one of a kind" family gifts. Basil has a track-record for delivering powerful solutions in multiple creative disciplines, for some of the most recognizable brands in the industry, delivering measurable results. For more information, visit https://www.bigfrog.com/mequon/.

What if the stories you tell yourself about the past are sabotaging your success right now? That's the key question I took from our latest podcast conversation. We all have these stories we believe are true, even though they aren't. Stories we created around the events of our lives. But it's what we do with those stories that determines our level of success. Our guest is Sue Schultz, corporate recruiter turned career and life coach, and our conversation is all around the stories we tell ourselves and how to break free. Sue opened up about her own life and coaching experience, sharing... The one thing you can do every morning to ensure your tank is full and you're ready for the day ahead. How to build "non-negotiable" activities into your day to refill your emotional piggy bank How the stories you created around past events are sabotaging your success right now As Sue said, we can't change the past, but there's a lot of good that came from the past that we can use to drive ourselves forward. Get your free digital copy of Free Agent: From Corporate Refugee to Being the Boss. Click here to download. Guest Bio Sue Schultz is a Career & Life Coach and the founder of Inspired Integration. She helps women align their career and life so they can finally feel the success that is filled with passion and purpose. Her holistic experience helps her clients overcome the fear, and self-doubt interfering with their life choices. Over the years Sue has built her career on helping others understand who they are, where they're at, what is standing in their way and "what they really want to be." As a Career Development Coach, she helps people create opportunities to take control of their careers. For more information, visit https://inspiredintegration.org/ and connect with Sue on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-schultz-inspired/ and follow @inspiredintegration on Instagram.

How do you go from veteran landscaping business owner, working 18 hour days outside in the elements for decades, to business coach working just 2.5 days per week? That's what I asked our latest guest, Todd Ruedt. Todd is a business coach and franchise owner of ActionCoach in Brookfield and Fox Cities, and was named ActionCOACH Americas #1 Coach of the Year in 2018. And he hasn't been slacking since then, either. Todd continues to help free agents build multiple streams of income and delegate the right things so they can work on their business, not in it. Todd pulled back the curtain on his own journey, sharing some incredible insights along the way, including: How to use collaboration to build confidence and expand your business, whether you're in the initial stages or getting to the next level The biggest pitfall new franchise owners fall into (and how to avoid it) How to leverage franchise systems to drastically reduce your learning curve and get results in your business faster As a business coach, Todd is known for asking great questions, and you'll find a hidden gem in this conversation, where he shared one simple question you can ask yourself to bring positivity to any situation. One of the key steps for any free agent is building a support system around you, including mentors. You can't go wrong looking to someone like Todd for coaching, mentorship and support. Enjoy the conversation and reach out to Todd if you get value from his insights! Guest Bio Todd Ruedt is a business coach and the owner at ActionCOACH of Brookfield, ActionCOACH of Fox Cities and The Offsite Collaboration Center in Brookfield/Neenah. At the onset of his experience as a business coach, Todd Ruedt hit the ground running. He was named 2018 ActionCOACH America's #1 Coach of the Year. As a certified ActionCOACH Business Coach for 4 years, and part of the ActionCOACH community for another 10, Todd is an expert in education, training & growing businesses. Add to that his experience as a veteran landscape designer and horticulturist with more than three decades of industry expertise. Todd is also an avid organizer of more than 21 golf events for notable charities throughout Southeastern Wisconsin. For more information visit, https://coachingwisconsin.com/. Learn more about Todd's upcoming Growth Club Mid-Year Extravaganza on June 17th and 18th here.